Sock with a sole comprising hexagonally shaped embossed surfaces

ABSTRACT

A sock having a sock fabric part covering the top and ankle regions of the foot and a sole having a layered structure combined with the sock fabric part. The sock has a plurality of embossed surfaces configured on the surface of said sole that contacts the ground and hexagonally shaped sole components formed by these embossed surfaces when they come together, protrusions provided on the embossed surfaces found on the top and toe regions of the sole, and channels provided among the embossed surfaces.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a sock having a sole with high flexion capability by means of hexagonally shaped embossings found thereon, and providing high strength and comfortable use by taking the shape of the foot when worn.

PRIOR ART

Nowadays, socks used for protecting our feet from cold and prevent our feet from sweating in shoes are produced in various forms and qualities.

Especially, the sole parts of socks continuously contact with the ground or the sole of the feet during use. Therefore, the sock soles wear down and get damaged.

Besides, as one of the most significant reasons for getting sick is not keeping the feet warm, various studies have been made for supporting sock soles with a stronger material than the knit parts of the socks or producing protected socks that are more durable against abrasion and that are cold proof.

During the research made in the literature, one of the applications we have encountered is the utility model of “Strumps Ayakkabi ve Giyim Sanayl Ticaret Anonim Sirketi” with application No., entitled: “Non-slip Sole Sock”. The invention is formed of 3 main layers and 1 optional layer placed on top of each other. These main layers are made of soft plastic material, fabric material, and ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), while the optional layer is leather.

Another application of the applicant is the utility model No. 2015/10830, entitled: “Sock having a sole with non-slip characteristics”. In this application, a softer and lighter non-slip sole is provided compared to the previous sole structure by using fewer layers.

Another application of the applicant is the utility model No. 2016/05871, entitled: “Sole with reinforced surface”. In this application, a sole structure having a reinforcement layer obtained by applying hot press on other layers is provided.

Each one of the applications provided above discloses different sole structures developed for socks in order to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art and provide additional advantages. In this context, the novelty according to the present invention relates to a sock having improved flexibility, taking the form of the foot by completely covering it, and having a more ergonomic and comfortable sole structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The main purpose of the invention is to provide a sock that has improved flexion and bending capabilities, takes the shape of the foot when worn, and has a healthy, comfortable, and ergonomic sole.

In order to achieve the above said purposes which would be understood better with the below given detailed description, the present invention is a sock comprising a sock fabric part covering the top and ankle regions of the foot and a sole having a layered structure combined with the sock fabric part. Said sock comprises:

-   -   a plurality of embossed surfaces configured on the surface of         said sole that contacts the ground and hexagonally shaped sole         components formed by these embossed surfaces when they come         together,     -   protrusions provided on the embossed surfaces found on the top         and toe regions of the sole, and     -   channels provided among the embossed surfaces.

Another embodiment of the sock according to the invention comprises free-form embossed surfaces at the sole parts where the hexagonal shape cannot be completed, and it comprises free-form sole components formed by these embossed surfaces. In this way, a balanced sole structure is provided.

Another embodiment of the sock according to the invention comprises protrusions configured on the free-form embossed surfaces found on the top and the toe regions. Said protrusions allow the foot upper region and the toe region to have pressure absorbing characteristic, since more pressure is applied on these regions during the contact of the foot with the ground.

Another embodiment of the sock according to the invention comprises additional channels among the embossed surfaces found at the middle part of the sole. Said channels act as water channels and at the same time allow the sole to bend and stretch easier together with the hexagonally shaped sole components.

Another embodiment of the sock according to the invention comprises circular openings among the embossed surfaces found at the middle part of the sole. These channels provide extra flexion characteristic and ensure compatibility with the anatomy of the middle part of the foot.

In another embodiment of the sock according to the invention said sole is formed of three layers, which are:

-   -   a sole ground-contact layer forming a contact surface with the         ground,     -   a middle layer on which said sole ground-contact layer is         formed, and     -   a reinforcement layer applied by hot press on the surface of the         middle layer facing inside the sock, after said sole         ground-contact layer and the middle layer are combined.

Another embodiment of the sock according to the invention comprises a hidden inseam which is found between the sock fabric part and the middle layer so as to combine the sole and the sock fabric part. In this way, from outside, the sock fabric part and the sole look as an integral piece.

For better understanding of the embodiment of the present invention and its advantages with its additional components, it should be evaluated together with below described figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1a , FIG. 1b , and FIG. 1c are views of the sock according to the invention from different angles.

FIG. 2 is a view of the layers forming the sole of the sock according to the invention.

FIG. 3 shows the toe, middle, and upper stepping forms, respectively.

FIG. 4 is a preferred embodiment view of the sole structure of the sock according to the invention.

FIG. 5 is an alternative embodiment view of the sole structure of the sock according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is an alternative embodiment view of the sole structure of the sock according to the invention.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

100 Sock

-   -   10 Sock fabric part     -   20 Sole         -   21 Reinforcement layer         -   22 Middle layer         -   23 Sole ground-contact layer             -   231 Embossed surface             -   232 Hexagonally shaped sole member             -   233 Free-form sole member             -   234 Protrusion             -   235 Channel             -   236 Additional channel             -   237 Opening         -   24 Hidden Inseam         -   25 Foot upper region         -   26 Foot middle region         -   27 Toe region

A: Toe stepping form

B: Middle foot stepping form

C: Upper foot stepping form

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the novelty according to the invention is only disclosed for better understanding of the subject without forming any limiting effect.

FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 1c provide various views of the sock (100) according to the invention. The sock (100) comprises a sock fabric part (10), which is worn on the foot and covers the top and ankle areas of the foot, and a sole (20), which corresponds to the sole (20) part of the foot and which is combined with the sock fabric part (10). The sock fabric part (10) can be made of woven fabric, non-woven fabric, or tricot etc. material.

FIG. 2 shows the layers forming the sole (20) of the sock (100) according to the invention. It comprises a sole (20), a sole ground-contact layer (23) forming the part of the sole (20) that contacts the ground, a middle layer (22) on which said sole ground-contact layer (23) is formed, and a reinforcement layer (21) applied by hot press on the surface of the middle layer (22) facing inside the sock (100), after said sole ground-contact layer (23) and the middle layer (22) are combined.

FIG. 3 shows the toe (A), middle foot (B), and upper foot (C) stepping forms. The sole (20) of the sock (100) according to the invention is designed such that it would ensure optimum absorption of the pressure applied on the foot sole in all kinds of stepping. FIG. 4 shows the structure of said sole (20). In the figure, the sole ground-contact layer (23) and the middle layer (22) can be seen, while the reinforcement layer (21) remains inside the sock (100). The sole (20) is combined with the sock fabric part (10) by applying a hidden inseam (24) between the sock fabric part (10) and the middle layer (22). In this way, from outside, the sock fabric part (10) and the sole (20) look as an integral piece. The middle layer (22) can be made of felt, plastic, rubber woven or non-woven fabric material.

The characterizing component of the sock (100) according to the invention is the sole ground-contact layer (23). This layer can be made of rubber or polyimide or any other soft plastic. A plurality of embossed surfaces (231) is found on the sole ground-contact layer (23). Some part of said embossed surfaces (231) come together to form hexagonally shaped sole components (232). The embossed surfaces (231) forming hexagonal shape preferably have a rhombic shape. At the edge regions of the sole (20) parts where the hexagonal shape cannot be completed, free-form sole components (233) are formed to complement the function of the hexagonally shaped sole components (232) via free-form embossed surfaces (231).

Protrusions (234) are provided on the embossed surfaces (231) found on the top and toe regions of the sole (20). Said protrusions (234) allow the foot upper/top region (25) and the toe region (27) to have pressure absorbing characteristic, since more pressure is applied on these regions during the contact of the foot with the ground. The embossed surfaces (231) and protrusions (234) are made of plastic or rubber.

Channels (235) are found between the embossed surfaces (231) found on the sole ground-contact layer (23). Said channels (235) act as water channels and at the same time allow the sole (20) to bend and stretch easier together with the hexagonally shaped sole components (232).

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the sole ground-contact layer (23). In this embodiment, additional channels (236) are provided among the embossed surfaces (231) found at the middle part (26) of the sole ground-contact layer (23). These channels (235) provide extra flexion characteristic and ensure compatibility with the anatomy of the middle part (26) of the foot.

FIG. 6 shows another alternative embodiment of the sole ground-contact layer (23). In this embodiment, circular openings (237) are provided among the embossed surfaces (231) found at the middle part (26) of the sole (20). Said openings (237) provide extra flexibility and bending. Moreover, they enable the sole (20) to breath.

The embossed surfaces (231) found at the surfaces of the sole (20 that contacts the ground generally act to absorb the pressure formed on the sole of the foot. These embossed surfaces (231) also have the function of preventing slipping. Hexagonally shaped sole components (232) formed by these embossed surfaces (231) when they come together, and the channels (235) found among them provide the sole (20) with a flexible and completely bendable structure. By means of this flexible structure, the sole (20) of the sock (100) takes the complete shape of the foot sole. At the edge regions where the hexagonal shape cannot be completed, free-form sole components (233) are found with functionally complementary characteristics. In this way, a balanced sole (20) structure is provided. The protrusions (234) provided on the embossed surfaces (231) at the foot upper region (25) and toe region (27) absorb the extra load exerted on these regions.

With the above disclosed characteristics, the sock (100) according to the invention takes the form of the foot and acts in harmony with the foot during movement. In this way, footwear is provided, which is compatible with foot anatomy, comfortable, and healthy. Extra strength is provided against twisting and cracking with the reinforcement layer (21) used at the sole (20). 

1. A sock (100) comprising a sock fabric part (10) covering the top and ankle regions of the foot and a sole (20) having a layered structure combined with the sock fabric part (10), and it is characterized in that; it comprises: a plurality of embossed surfaces (231) configured on the surface of said sole (20) that contacts the ground and hexagonally shaped sole components (232) formed by these embossed surfaces (231) when they come together, protrusions (234) provided on the embossed surfaces (231) found on the top and toe regions of the sole (20), and channels (235) provided among the embossed surfaces (231).
 2. The sock (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that; the embossed surfaces (231) forming the hexagonally shaped sole components (232) have a rhombic shape.
 3. The sock (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that; it comprises free-form embossed surfaces (231) at the sole (20) parts where the hexagonal shape cannot be completed, and it comprises free-form sole components (233) formed by these embossed surfaces (231).
 4. The sock (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that; it comprises protrusions (234) configured on the free-form embossed surfaces (231) found on the top region (25) and the toe region (27).
 5. The sock (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that; it comprises additional channels (236) among the embossed surfaces (2313 found at the middle part of the sole (20).
 6. The sock (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that; it comprises circular openings (237) among the embossed surfaces (231) found at the middle part of the sole (20).
 7. The sock 100) according to claim 1, characterized in that; said sole (20) comprises: a sole ground-contact layer (23) forming a contact surface with the ground, a middle layer (22) on which said sole ground-contact layer (23) is formed, and a reinforcement layer (21) applied by hot press on the surface of the middle layer (22) facing inside the sock, after said sole ground-contact layer (23) and the middle layer (22) are combined.
 8. The sock (100) according to claim 1, and it is characterized in that; it comprises a hidden inseam (24) which is found between the sock fabric part (10) and the middle layer (22) so as to combine the sole (20) and the sock fabric part (10).
 9. The sock (100) according to clam 1, characterized in that; the sock fabric part (10) is made of woven fabric.
 10. The sock (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that; the sock fabric part 10) is made of non-woven fabric.
 11. A sock (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that; the sock fabric part (10) is made of tricot.
 12. The sock (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that; said embossed surfaces (231) are made of plastic.
 13. The sock (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that; said embossed surfaces (231) are made of rubber.
 14. The sock (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that; said protrusions(234) are made of plastic.
 15. The sock (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that; said protrusions(234) are made of rubber.
 16. The sock (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that; the middle layer (22) is made of plastic.
 17. The sock (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that; the middle layer (22) is made of rubber.
 18. The sock (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that; the middle layer (22) is made of felt.
 19. The sock (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that; the middle layer (22) is made of woven fabric.
 20. The sock (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that; the middle layer (22) is made of non-woven fabric. 